Facing Redundancy – avoiding the panic....
My main disclaimer for this article is it’s solely aimed at professionals who are on the brink of or who have recently taken redundancy. Current stats for redundancy in the UK are every 3.3 to 1000 working employees were made redundant. In 2009 it was 12.2 to 1000 working employees. UK employment is at a record high and in technical fields like I.T, Engineering and Supply Chain the severe lack of skilled staff is great for anyone working in these professions.
Let’s just try to park the preconceived ideas about redundancy for a second. You know the ones where that ex colleague you didn’t really like drops you a patronising/sympathetic message about you being made redundant along the lines of “Hope you’re ok and you know where I am if you need me” (We haven’t spoken in 4 years David. Would you try to help?)
I’m an optimistic realist let’s take the above comment and run with it.
Networking
So actually take the above message and get out there. Your family, friends, colleagues past and present and managers past and present will know what’s going on and be happy to help. Now I’m not saying you have to chuck on a name tag and start running towards your local town hall to find out about the next “careers fair.” Human nature is a wonderful thing and you’ll be surprised who would be happy to help you in your network.
Take your time
Don’t jump at the first thing that comes your way. We’ve all been there. Desperate times call for desperate measures. You’re not desperate, time is on your side so take the time to find out about the business.
Career Progression
Company culture
Potential team you’ll be working in
The Manager
Benefits package
The list is endless. However, I strongly support any business that offers free food. The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach (Apologies I don’t have a stat to support this theory but strongly support it.)
Learn New Skills
If you do have the time, think about gaining a qualification or becoming an industry specialist training in a certain field of your work. Knowledge is power and if you can add value to a business why not go for it? Learn that new skill.
Seek Advice
If you haven’t interviewed or wrote a CV for a long period of time seek some advice. Cooper Lomaz has 3 offices in Norwich, Bury St Edmunds and Colchester. If you work within one of our sectors pop into an office and whilst some of my colleagues look a bit funny they are all more than happy to help you with advice on interview technique and CV writing advice.
Sometimes this can seem daunting and I would love it if we could find a job for every single person we speak to who is made redundant. However, this isn’t realistic and we would love to help with any advice that could be relevant.
Have a Plan
Plan exactly what you want your next move to be and try your best to stick to it. Don’t leave this until the last minute. If time is on your side utilise it (Unless you have Bernard’s Watch then take as long as you want! – Quote 90’s kids TV show reference.)
Have FUN!
If time is on your side and you have the luxury of the down time. Go on that holiday you've always wanted, see that distant relative, learn to cross stitch, play squash, spend time with your friends and family. If I’m made redundant being 6 foot 7 I would dedicate a portion of my time to being able to learn to dunk a basketball again. I’m nearly 30 with terrible flexibility and that classic excuse of I’m too busy! I want to dunk again!
Morale of the story is please don’t panic! Please don’t see this as a road block. See it as an opportunity for finding something different or you never know better?
I’m out of clichéd lines now but if you would like to discuss any of the above further please give me a call on 01284701302 or my mobile 07469159235.